United News of Bangladesh

In the flood-prone northern district of Kurigram, duck farming has emerged as a lifeline for countless small-scale farmers striving for economic stability, but their aspirations are now under threat, as the district’s only government-run duck breeding farm fails to keep pace with an overwhelming surge in demand for ducklings and hatching eggs. Established in 2016 on three acres of land, the farm was launched with the goal of combating poverty through the promotion of backyard duck farming. It currently breeds improved, high-yielding duck varieties, including England’s Khaki Campbell and China’s Jingding, both known for laying 230 to 250 eggs annually -- more than double the output of native breeds. But the actual demand has now soared past 200,000 despite having a production target of 50,000 ducklings per year, according to local farmers. This stark mismatch has sparked growing frustration among those depending on duck farming for their livelihood. After six years of struggling to find a job, Zahid finds success in strawberry farming “Native ducks lay only 80 to 100 eggs a year,” said Nur Islam, a farmer from Jatrapur. “But the Khaki Campbell and Jingding breeds lay 230 to 250. Despite repeated visits, we are not getting ducklings or hatching eggs from the government farm,” Nur said. Farmers face steep financial pressure as ducklings cost just Tk 25 at government facilities but Tk 80-100 in the open market, forcing many to buy at inflated prices and further straining their slim profit margins. Zahid Hossain, a farmer from Mogolbasa, shared his struggle, saying, “I usually collect 250 to 300 ducklings from the farm each year. While rearing improved breeds is profitable, we are unable to expand production due to the supply shortfall.” Adding to the farmers’ woes are allegations of favouritism. Some claim that the farm prioritises select clients, although officials have denied any preferential treatment. ‘Relay Farming’ brings new hope to farmers in Khulna The government farm now maintains 800 layer ducks and 140 drakes. The facility consists of six layer sheds, one growing shed and one brooding shed, far from sufficient to meet the rising demands from Kurigram and neighbouring districts.  

The Retired Tax Officers’ Welfare Association has voiced grave concern over mounting unrest and dissatisfaction among officials and employees of the Income Tax, Customs, and VAT departments centering the ongoing reforms within the National Board of Revenue (NBR). In a press statement, the association warned that the situation, if not addressed promptly, could pose a serious threat to the country’s revenue collection system and overall economic stability. The Association strongly criticised attempts by what it termed a “vested interest group” to derail reform proposals made by the Revenue Reform Committee, headed by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus. It said such obstruction driven by narrow group interests has led to a deadlock in revenue administration, which is detrimental to the national economy. At a time when the Chief Adviser is striving to revitalize a stagnant and debt-ridden economy through dynamic leadership and a comprehensive reform program, these conspiratorial activities within the revenue administration cannot be taken lightly, the statement said. The association reaffirmed its confidence in the dedication and integrity of the cadre officers and employees serving in the tax, customs, and VAT departments. NBR mulls developing a central app to boost VAT revenue However, it noted that ongoing attempts to undermine their rights and marginalise their roles in the reform process have made it impossible for them to remain silent. Stressing that all revenue-related policies and operations must be handled by experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable revenue officials, the association said this is essential in the greater interest of the nation. Referring to practices in developed countries, it pointed out how tax policies and their implementation are overseen by expert professionals and urged the government to follow suit. It called upon the government to urgently resolve the ongoing unrest in the revenue administration by accepting the just demands of the BCS (Taxation) Association and BCS (Customs, Excise and VAT) Association.  

In an era marked by financial unpredictability, nations worldwide are increasingly anchoring their economic stability in gold reserves. Even after the gold standard was abandoned in the 1970s, gold's role in bolstering a country's economic health remains significant, according to NDTV. Woman arriving from Dubai arrested with over 8 kg gold at Dhaka airport Top 10 Countries by Gold Reserves 1. United States: Leading the pack, the US boasts 8,1336.46 tonnes of gold 2. Germany: Close on the heels with 3,352.65 tonnes 3. Italy: Securing third place with 2,451.84 tonnes. 4. France: Holding the fourth position with 2,436.88 tonnes. 5. Russia: Completing the top five with 2,332.74 tonnes, as reported by Forbes. Notably, China, an emerging economic powerhouse, ranks sixth with 2,191.53 tonnes, highlighting the shift in global economic dynamics. Switzerland, Japan, India, and the Netherlands round out the top 10, each maintaining significant reserves between 1,040 to 612.45 tonnes of gold. Gold worth Tk 7-cr seized at Airport; 4 held Why Do Countries Stockpile Gold? Gold's primary appeal lies in its ability to act as a dependable value store, ensuring economic stability during tumultuous times. Despite moving away from the gold standard, many countries view substantial gold reserves as crucial for currency stability. Diversification of assets is another compelling reason. Gold serves as a physical, tangible asset, offering a buffer against other asset value fluctuations. Its inverse relationship with the US dollar enhances its appeal, especially as a hedge in volatile markets. 4.5kg gold recovered from Biman flight at Ctg airport Gold also plays a vital role in international trade and finance. Some nations use it to balance trade deficits or as collateral for loans, thereby boosting their global economic standing. In crises, gold emerges as a safeguard against economic downturns and geopolitical tensions, protecting economies from inflation and currency devaluation. As central banks reaffirm the importance of gold, these gleaming assets continue to shape the economic futures of countries worldwide, the report concludes. Where was the CCTV camera? Investigators wonder about missing gold at Dhaka Airport customs